2014-2015 Underdawgs Thread

Discover Your Odds of Getting into Medical School
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Member cGPA | sGPA | MCAT | AACOMAS Verified | Interviews | Acceptances | Special Consideration
*Special Consideration: Military Service, International Student, IA

  • beanbag2 ---------------- c3.74 | s3.61 | 23 MCAT (retake planned in July)
  • bowser20 ---------------- c3.03 | s3.03 | pending MCAT
  • crazy87--------------------c3.1? | s3.6? | 31 MCAT
  • danny89 ----------------- c3.27 | s3.07 | pending MCAT
  • docemmetbrown --------- c3.07 | s3.0 | pending MCAT
  • doctorcupcake ----------- c3.03 | s3.75 | pending MCAT
  • dotdalamb --------------- c3.2 | s3.1 | 28
  • Dr.bonesmccoy ---------- c3.20 | s3.0 | pending MCAT
  • Dreamstoo --------------- c3.3 | s3.3 | pending MCAT
  • DrTurkelton ------------- c3.08 | s3.13 | 31 (retake planned)
  • dutchie000 -------------- c3.4 | s3.3 | pending
  • Happyfeet14--------------c3.48| s3.62 | 29 (P12/V7/B10)
  • IWillOneDay ------------- c3.4 | s3.2-.3 | 26 (retake in July after applying)
  • JeBrAs ------------------ c3.41 | s3.2 | 19, 26 (P10/V6/B10)
  • justbananas -------------- c3.4 | s3.5 | 25 (retake planned)
  • kaygeebee ---------------- c3.28 | s3.14 | pending MCAT
  • Mariana Mac-------------c3.20 | s2.86 | 29 [V13,P7,B9]
  • medhopeful811 ---------- c3.3 | s3.3 | pending MCAT
  • oOKawaiiOo--------------c3.24| s3.22 | pending MCAT
  • polylux ------------------- c3.37 | s3.30 | 29 (retaking on 4/5)
  • Radian 313---------------c3.4 | s3.1 | Grad (MPH) 3.85 | pending
  • Saxappeal1---------------c3.5 | s3.34| MCAT 23 (9/7/7), retake on 6/21
  • Sean Lee ----------------- c3.5+ | s3.25+ | 33 (12/10/11), IA (conduct probation for locking myself in the library)
  • Stephanopolous --------- c3.0 | s3.1 | mcat (8/21/14)
  • stickshifthonda ---------- c3.41 (not including study abroad) | s3.1 | 22 (pending retake)
  • Strokezone99 ------------ c3.4 | s3.2 | 29
  • tweety14 ----------------- c3.21 | s2.99 | 32
  • volack881 ---------------- c3.33 | s3.00 | 3.7 Grad. GPA | 24
  • westernredcedar --------- c3.4 | s3.3 | pending
  • xerxesc---------------------c.3.3 | s3.15 |
 
crazy87 said:
DO NOT ERASE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!
1) Click "Reply" on the most recent underdog list.
2) Delete the quote brackets at both the top and the bottom of the post.
3a) Add your username alphabetically if it is not on the list.
3b) To update your information, just find your username and ONLY change your information!
4) If you see some formatting errors and you have time, try to fix them.
5) Click "Post Reply"

Member cGPA | sGPA | MCAT | AACOMAS Verified | Interviews | Acceptances | Special Consideration
*Special Consideration: Military Service, International Student, IA

  • beanbag2 ---------------- c3.74 | s3.61 | 23 MCAT (retake planned in July)
  • bowser20 ---------------- c3.03 | s3.03 | pending MCAT
  • crazy87--------------------c3.1? | s3.6? | 31 MCAT
  • danny89 ----------------- c3.27 | s3.07 | pending MCAT
  • docemmetbrown --------- c3.07 | s3.0 | pending MCAT
  • doctorcupcake ----------- c3.03 | s3.75 | pending MCAT
  • dotdalamb --------------- c3.2 | s3.1 | 28
  • Dr.bonesmccoy ---------- c3.20 | s3.0 | pending MCAT
  • Dreamstoo --------------- c3.3 | s3.3 | pending MCAT
  • DrTurkelton ------------- c3.08 | s3.13 | 31 (retake planned)
  • dutchie000 -------------- c3.4 | s3.3 | pending
  • Happyfeet14--------------c3.48| s3.62 | 29 (P12/V7/B10)
  • IWillOneDay ------------- c3.4 | s3.2-.3 | 26 (retake in July after applying)
  • JeBrAs ------------------ c3.41 | s3.2 | 19, 26 (P10/V6/B10)
  • justbananas -------------- c3.4 | s3.5 | 25 (retake planned)
  • kaygeebee ---------------- c3.28 | s3.14 | pending MCAT
  • Mariana Mac-------------c3.20 | s2.86 | 29 [V13,P7,B9]
  • medhopeful811 ---------- c3.3 | s3.3 | pending MCAT
  • oOKawaiiOo--------------c3.24| s3.22 | pending MCAT
  • polylux ------------------- c3.37 | s3.30 | 29 (retaking on 4/5)
  • Radian 313---------------c3.4 | s3.1 | Grad (MPH) 3.85 | pending
  • Saxappeal1---------------c3.5 | s3.34| MCAT 23 (9/7/7), retake on 6/21
  • Sean Lee ----------------- c3.5+ | s3.25+ | 33 (12/10/11), IA (conduct probation for locking myself in the library)
  • Stephanopolous --------- c3.0 | s3.1 | mcat (8/21/14)
  • stickshifthonda ---------- c3.41 (not including study abroad) | s3.1 | 22 (pending retake)
  • Strokezone99 ------------ c3.4 | s3.2 | 29
  • tweety14 ----------------- c3.21 | s2.99 | 32
  • volack881 ---------------- c3.33 | s3.00 | 3.7 Grad. GPA | 24
  • westernredcedar --------- c3.4 | s3.3 | pending
  • xerxesc---------------------c.3.3 | s3.15 |
Click to expand...

IMO not an underdog.
 
serenade said:
An MPH is what I would call a very strong EC. It won't likely bring you a lot of interviews, but it'll bring you attention at the interview.
Click to expand...

Yes an adcom specifically told a group of student this at my university at an informational session.
 
Dreamstoo said:
Yes an adcom specifically told a group of student this at my university at an informational session.
Click to expand...

It is what you make of it, so many people have MPH's these days if they don't get into medical school right away. It won't make up for a sub 3.0 GPA
 
WesternRedCedar said:
It is what you make of it, so many people have MPH's these days if they don't get into medical school right away. It won't make up for a sub 3.0 GPA
Click to expand...

MPHs are pretty common and they usually accept mcat scores or even on occasion don't take scores at all. For many students especially in their 4th year in every field that ends with ology, they have the choice of pursuing a job at starbucks or getting an internship ( Lets be frank, unless you've been working in a heavy bio lab for 3 years, chances are you're not qualified to do much with your degree outside of teach and genotype) or doing what they have been doing for nearly two decades, taking classes. It's no surprise that most will go ahead and take classes. And realistically for many of these students even if they don't get into medical school their MPH will at least provide them some help for other health fields or PhD programs.
 
I agree with many of the posts above, I myself have done an MPH, my concentration was Health Policy, I think given the realm of DOs, and their appreciation for preventive medicine, many AdComs probably look at it as a plus. If anything, you should see what you gained from your experiences, practicums, internships, thesis in your understanding of the dynamics of healthcare delivery (i.e. how preventive medicine may actually lower cost of healthcare for many given the leading cause of death according to WHO is heart disease). My own stats with my MPH (3.85) is a 3.4 and 3.1, I am not sure where I stand in terms of competition, but I do think its given me an edge when talking about certain aspects of healthcare. No disrespect to anyone who doesnt have an MPH though.
 
AlbinoHawk DO said:
You'll be okay. I applied with similar stats and lower MCAT.
Click to expand...

Thanks!! I hope so. I have other stuff going for me (good clinical work, volunteering, masters degree) and other stuff against me (no research, some downward GPA trends in first round undergrad). But I'd say I'm an underdog for sure 🙂 started out w a sub 3.0 gpa but been workin' on "the app" since then 🙂 thank you for the encouragement.
 
crazy87 said:
Thanks!! I hope so. I have other stuff going for me (good clinical work, volunteering, masters degree) and other stuff against me (no research, some downward GPA trends in first round undergrad). But I'd say I'm an underdog for sure 🙂 started out w a sub 3.0 gpa but been workin' on "the app" since then 🙂 thank you for the encouragement.
Click to expand...
I had a downward trend in undergrad too and no masters, but I did have strong research. I'd consider you for DO an applicant worth checking out. I applied to 8 DO and got 3 interviews. Mind you that 3 of my applications were dumb because I applied to some schools with regional bias: osu, PCOM, and nycom. You'll be okay.
 
AlbinoHawk DO said:
I had a downward trend in undergrad too and no masters, but I did have strong research. I'd consider you for DO an applicant worth checking out. I applied to 8 DO and got 3 interviews. Mind you that 3 of my applications were dumb because I applied to some schools with regional bias: osu, PCOM, and nycom. You'll be okay.
Click to expand...

PCOM, one of the top DO schools, have a regional bias?
 
I had zero research and they never asked about it in my interview. I actually wrote in my personal statement about how my major was research based and that's how I knew I did NOT want to do research in the future because it was tedious.
 
Sean Lee said:
PCOM, one of the top DO schools, have a regional bias?
Click to expand...

About 50% of their incoming class is from PA. So yes, they do, but it's not huge to the point where it's not worth applying, like TCOM.
 
DO NOT ERASE THESE INSTRUCTIONS!
1) Click "Reply" on the most recent underdog list.
2) Delete the quote brackets at both the top and the bottom of the post.
3a) Add your username alphabetically if it is not on the list.
3b) To update your information, just find your username and ONLY change your information!
4) If you see some formatting errors and you have time, try to fix them.
5) Click "Post Reply"

Member cGPA | sGPA | MCAT | AACOMAS Verified | Interviews | Acceptances | Special Consideration
*Special Consideration: Military Service, International Student, IA

  • beanbag2 ---------------- c3.74 | s3.61 | 23 MCAT (retake planned in July)
  • bowser20 ---------------- c3.03 | s3.03 | pending MCAT
  • crazy87--------------------c3.1? | s3.6? | 31 MCAT
  • danny89 ----------------- c3.27 | s3.07 | pending MCAT
  • docemmetbrown --------- c3.07 | s3.0 | pending MCAT
  • doctorcupcake ----------- c3.03 | s3.75 | pending MCAT
  • dotdalamb --------------- c3.2 | s3.1 | 28
  • Dr.bonesmccoy ---------- c3.20 | s3.0 | pending MCAT
  • Dreamstoo --------------- c3.3 | s3.3 | pending MCAT
  • DrTurkelton ------------- c3.08 | s3.13 | 31 (retake planned)
  • dutchie000 -------------- c3.4 | s3.3 | pending
  • Eudaimonia--------------c3.77 | s3.77 | 24 (P6/V10/B8)
  • Happyfeet14--------------c3.48| s3.62 | 29 (P12/V7/B10)
  • IWillOneDay ------------- c3.4 | s3.2-.3 | 26 (retake in July after applying)
  • JeBrAs ------------------ c3.41 | s3.2 | 19, 26 (P10/V6/B10)
  • justbananas -------------- c3.4 | s3.5 | 25 (retake planned)
  • kaygeebee ---------------- c3.28 | s3.14 | pending MCAT
  • Mariana Mac-------------c3.20 | s2.86 | 29 [V13,P7,B9]
  • medhopeful811 ---------- c3.3 | s3.3 | pending MCAT
  • oOKawaiiOo--------------c3.24| s3.22 | pending MCAT
  • polylux ------------------- c3.37 | s3.30 | 29 (retaking on 4/5)
  • Radian 313---------------c3.4 | s3.1 | Grad (MPH) 3.85 | pending
  • Saxappeal1---------------c3.5 | s3.34| MCAT 23 (9/7/7), retake on 6/21
  • Sean Lee ----------------- c3.5+ | s3.25+ | 33 (12/10/11), IA (conduct probation for locking myself in the library)
  • Stephanopolous --------- c3.0 | s3.1 | mcat (8/21/14)
  • stickshifthonda ---------- c3.41 (not including study abroad) | s3.1 | 22 (pending retake)
  • Strokezone99 ------------ c3.4 | s3.2 | 29
  • tweety14 ----------------- c3.21 | s2.99 | 32
  • volack881 ---------------- c3.33 | s3.00 | 3.7 Grad. GPA | 24
  • westernredcedar --------- c3.4 | s3.3 | pending
  • xerxesc---------------------c.3.3 | s3.15 |
 
polylux said:
About 50% of their incoming class is from PA. So yes, they do, but it's not huge to the point where it's not worth applying, like TCOM.
Click to expand...
You have to factor that a huge number of students are from NY and NJ. Being from CA, it was definitely a long shot for me, but it's PCOM! I had to apply.
 
Can you guys give me some DO schools that have severe regional biases?

To my knowledge, almost all DO schools are private.
 
AlbinoHawk DO said:
I had a downward trend in undergrad too and no masters, but I did have strong research. I'd consider you for DO an applicant worth checking out. I applied to 8 DO and got 3 interviews. Mind you that 3 of my applications were dumb because I applied to some schools with regional bias: osu, PCOM, and nycom. You'll be okay.
Click to expand...
did you have publications?
 
Sean Lee said:
Can you guys give me some DO schools that have severe regional biases?

To my knowledge, almost all DO schools are private.
Click to expand...

MSU, UNT, OSU, ROWAN, NYCOM for sure have regional bias
 
Any DO schools that place a heavy emphasis on the MCAT?
 
KYCOM and VCOM --Virginia have regional biases. If I'm not mistaken.
 
How heavy are the regional biases for DO schools? Much less severe than state MD schools, right?
 
AlbinoHawk DO said:
PCOM is not one of them. They get the most applicants and could easily have the highest stats, but they generally recruit holistically.
Click to expand...

Oh yeah? That's really good to know. Thanks for clearing that up!
 
Ugh, looks like I wont be finishing my SMP with a 4.0...
 
AlbinoHawk DO said:
Not this URM, clearly. Lol
Click to expand...

hmm in that case maybe it is just some random throwing of darts..but I did notice that more URMs with below avg stats were getting interviews.

I realized that this whole acceptance process is pretty unpredictable. I got acceptances at schools that I didn't think I would and I didn't even get interviews at some schools that I thought I would for sure.
 
bionerd89 said:
hmm in that case maybe it is just some random throwing of darts..but I did notice that more URMs with below avg stats were getting interviews.

I realized that this whole acceptance process is pretty unpredictable. I got acceptances at schools that I didn't think I would and I didn't even get interviews at some schools that I thought I would for sure.
Click to expand...
I understand that feel. I got rejected before interview at a school I was sure would be my absolute backup.
 
AlbinoHawk DO said:
I understand that feel. I got rejected before interview at a school I was sure would be my absolute backup.
Click to expand...
Same thing happened to me. On the other had an acceptance in had to what I thought would be a reach school within a month of having my primary verified. It's a crapshoot.
 
bionerd89 said:
hmm in that case maybe it is just some random throwing of darts..but I did notice that more URMs with below avg stats were getting interviews.

I realized that this whole acceptance process is pretty unpredictable. I got acceptances at schools that I didn't think I would and I didn't even get interviews at some schools that I thought I would for sure.
Click to expand...
Are you still going to MSUCOM out of state?
 
papoosh said:
I am a severe underdog, my story can be found here:
Click to expand...

lol at the term "severe underdog." Let's do this app cycleeee. Underdogs of the severe and non-severe and other varieties hehe.
 
Just re-read this and i hope i didnt come across the wrong way with severe underdog comment. i just think the phrasing is unique/amusing. sorry, was tired.... all pom poms and rah rahs here i can assure you... rootin for all of us 🙂
 
crazy87 said:
Just re-read this and i hope i didnt come across the wrong way with severe underdog comment. i just think the phrasing is unique/amusing. sorry, was tired.... all pom poms and rah rahs here i can assure you... rootin for all of us 🙂
Click to expand...
i felt you a little bit too... severe is a strong word for someone who is actually a pretty average applicant. His gpas are >/= 3.2 and he has a solid MCAT. I was not going to say anything, but I will agree with you.
 
In

Gpa 3.14
Sgpa 3.04

DIY post bac 30 credits 3.9x

Mcat: TBD. score coming out in 2 weeks.
 
Buckeye(OH) said:
BTW, if anyone needs a personal statement read, let me know.

Im studying for boards right now so my time is limited but Ill do my very best to get back to you in a timely fashion.

Why? Because someone else on here did it for me.
Click to expand...

Thank you so much for offering to do this. I would really appreciate it if you can take a look at my PS? I have not completed it entirely yet, but I hope to finish it in a week or so. Would you like me to PM it to you when I am done?
 
So I've searched quite a bit and outside of the 3.2 cutoffs mentioned in a variety of threads, I'm interested in what a good "underdawg school list" would look like. Something that allows an applicant to apply broadly but doesn't just toss money at schools that are out of the question.

Or does the trend "probability of getting in decreases as the school gets older" apply in a pretty cut-n-dry fashion?
 
CapCrunch said:
In

Gpa 3.14
Sgpa 3.04

DIY post bac 30 credits 3.9x

Mcat: TBD. score coming out in 2 weeks.
Click to expand...


Wow you are basically me! Hope we both have some luck this cycle...


Bowser20 said:
So I've searched quite a bit and outside of the 3.2 cutoffs mentioned in a variety of threads, I'm interested in what a good "underdawg school list" would look like. Something that allows an applicant to apply broadly but doesn't just toss money at schools that are out of the question.

Or does the trend "probability of getting in decreases as the school gets older" apply in a pretty cut-n-dry fashion?
Click to expand...


IMHO there are basically 2 tiers of DO schools. The 1st tier (PCOM, DMU, CCOM, OUHCOM, OSUCOM, NSU and KCUMB) and the second tier (everything else). I would view the "underdog school list" as 2 or 3 of the 1st tier schools and around 1o schools from the 2nd tier list.

The nice thing about DO schools is that even those top schools seem to have a good record of accepting underdogs so you're not really throwing your money away either way.
 
I wish all of you do not get in this cycle.
Must get rid of competitions.
 
You know me too well.

download (1).jpg
 
Dr Turkelton said:
IMHO there are basically 2 tiers of DO schools. The 1st tier (PCOM, DMU, CCOM, OUHCOM, OSUCOM, NSU and KCUMB) and the second tier (everything else). I would view the "underdog school list" as 2 or 3 of the 1st tier schools and around 1o schools from the 2nd tier list.

The nice thing about DO schools is that even those top schools seem to have a good record of accepting underdogs so you're not really throwing your money away either way.
Click to expand...

What makes schools like PCOM, CCOM, DMU etc put in the first tier as you say?
 
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